The Phoenix Suns (19-49) will try to snap their five-game losing streak when they go head-to-head with the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-28) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The game starts at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Ohio.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns Free Prediction
The last time the Cavaliers played, they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 127-113. Los Angeles won the rebounding battle. The Lakers had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (37 vs. 30) and total rebounds (51 vs. 37). LeBron James led Cleveland in scoring with 24 points on 9-for-20 shooting.
The Suns fell to the Charlotte Hornets in their last outing, 122-115. One of Charlotte’s largest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They made 27 trips to the line, while Phoenix went 19 times. Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis put up 11 points and 10 assists in the game.
This contest should be a matchup of conflicting tempos. Phoenix prefers to play up-tempo (third in possessions per game), while Cleveland likes to grind-it-out (13th in possessions per game). Also, the Cavaliers’ fifth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 110.3) will battle against the Suns’ 30th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 111.2).
Cleveland heads into the contest with records of 38-28 straight up (SU) and 21-44-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cavaliers’ 66 games, 33 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is 19-49 SU and 31-35-2 ATS. Of the Suns’ 68 games, 33 have finished over the O/U total.
Larry Nance Jr. has averaged 15.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Cleveland.
After the Cavaliers won both contests against the Suns last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last contest, Cleveland won 118-103. Cleveland made 19 of its 42 three pointers (45.2 percent). Phoenix, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.9 vs. 11.4).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Cleveland is 14-19 ATS with 17 overs and 16 unders.
Phoenix is 12-20-1 ATS at home with 16 overs, 16 unders and 1 push.
Phoenix is 6-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Cleveland is 14-2.
The Cavaliers are 37-16 when they reach the century mark, while the Suns are 15-30.
Cleveland ranks fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.1) while Phoenix ranks 29th (5.8).
The Cavaliers rank ninth in assists per game (23.6) while the Suns rank 28th (21.2).
Phoenix ranks 11th in three pointers allowed per game (28.8) while Cleveland ranks 28th (31.8).
The Cavaliers rank 12th in fast break points allowed per game (11.3) while the Suns rank 29th (14.7).
Cleveland ranks 13th in steals allowed per game (7.6) while Phoenix ranks 26th (8.6).
The Suns rank 10th in points in the paint per game (45.9) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (46.8).
Phoenix averages 13.5 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Cleveland ranks 19th in second chance points allowed per game (12.8).
The Suns average 43.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 12th in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (44.3).
Cleveland ranks 17th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.5) while Phoenix ranks 27th (18.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Phoenix is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push over their last five games.
The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.0, up from 0.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Suns have scored an average of 106.6 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 119.8 points per game (6.3 above their season average).
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